Rupee down 19 paise on capital outflows

The rupee on Monday dropped 19 paise to close at a nearly four-month low of 52.73/74 against the US currency on continued capital outflows and month-end dollar demand from importers. A firm dollar abroad also weighed on the rupee, while a rally in local equities capped the fall to some extent, a dealer said.

Bonds settle mixed
Government securities (G-sec) settled mixed on alternate bouts of buying and selling. The 8.79 per cent G-sec maturing in 2021 declined to Rs 100.7 from last weekend’s level of Rs 100.9, while its yield moved up to 8.67 per cent from 8.65 per cent.

Call rate firms up further
Call rate firmed up further on the overnight call money market here on Monday due to sustained demand from borrowing banks. The overnight rate finished higher at 8.9 per cent from last Friday’s 8.4 per cent.